Pitso Mosimane and his new club Al Wahda were eliminated from the Arab Club Champions Cup in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, losing narrowly on post-match penalties after holding home side Al Shabab to a goalless draw in their quarterfinal clash.
It was a disappointing result for the South African coach, recently appointed at the United Arab Emirates outfit and who had taken them through the group phase of the competition last week.
Al Wahda drew 0-0 with Al Shabab after extra time in Taif but then missed one of their kicks in the shootout to go out 5-4. Al Shabab move onto a semifinal meeting with fellow Saudi club Al Hilal, whose new signings include Senegal skipper Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea and Portuguese international Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Al Wahda, who were third in the Emirati league last season, finished second in Group D of the Arab Club Champions Cup after beating Algeria’s Chabab Belouizdad and Kuwait Sporting Club. They lost their third group game to Raja Casablanca of Morocco but still went throughout to the quarterfinals.
"We didn't think about winning the championship, and we achieved our goal of participating, which is to prepare for the UAE pro league championship against strong clubs," Mosimane said after the game.
"It's good that my players know that they can face big clubs and compete at the highest level."
All the matches were played in Saudi Arabia where Mosimane previously worked.
He now moves onto domestic matters as the new season in the UAE kicks off in a fortnight’s time. Al Wahda, who are based in Abu Dhabi, open their league campaign at home to Al Bataeh on August 18.
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